The Power of Words

"Words, words, words."

William Shakespeare

(English poet & writer)

As We all know, we have to pay attention to the WORDS we use...

since the Power of Words is very important in our everyday communication.

"Language is not a matter of information, 

but a matter of presentation."

Edmund White

(American writer)

In other words, ...

"The important thing is not WHAT you say, 

but HOW you say it."

Jesús Canca

In my opinion, 

Words can be considered as the key in our everyday communication.

The success or failure of our communication depends on how we say things, and

on the Words we use to communicate with other people.

The following video illustrates 

"THE POWER OF WORDS"

to change your message and your effect on people.

* Watch the video and complete the following activities:

PRE-Watching the video

Activity 1.- Guess what the video is about - 

just by looking at the man sitting down on the ground.

WHILE- Watching the video

Activity 2.- Guess what the woman writes: 

1.- When the woman sees the sign (STOP THE VIDEO AT 0:55)	………………………………………………………………
2.- After people’s reaction (STOP THE VIDEO AT 1:08)	………………………………………………………………

AFTER-Watching the video

Activity 3.- Compare the 2 sentences:

Sentence  1 (0:18)	Sentence  2 (1:30)
…………………………………………… ……………………………………………	………………………………………………… …………………………………………………

As the woman from the video says:

"I wrote the same... 

but in different words."

******************

Talking about Words & Music...

The Bee Gees (a famous musical group from the 1970's) has a song about "words", called WORDS.

Watch the video-clip of a modern version of the song "Words" by Boyzone at:

http://youtu.be/w_Rut4qm33g

 
Using the following missing words:

WORDS     WORDS        IT’S        ARE I     ALL     ONLY     HAVE

Complete the Chorus of the song:

(from 1:08 to 1:18)

Chorus of the song “Words” “__1__   __2__   __3__, and __4__   __5__   __6__   __7__   __8__ to take your heart away.”

SELF-CORRECTION.-

Check out your answers at: 

http://www.lyrics.com/words-lyrics-bee-gees.html 

                                                * Remember...

Always select the most appropriate words

for each moment in your life !!

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE BOOK

"Read, read, read."

William Faulkner 

(American writer)

A celebration of ...

... books and ...

... reading.

 World Book Day ( also known as International Day of the Book) is an event celebrated on 23 April every year, organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. The day was first celebrated in 1995 in the USA.

The connection between 23 April and bookswas first made in 1993 by booksellers in Spain as a way to honour the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day.





This became a part of the celebrations of the Saint George's Day in Catalonia, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the woman to give a book in exchange.



In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book Day would be celebrated on this date because of the anniversary of the deaths of the best writers of all times, William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes.

 Thanks to the books...

                            "We know what we are, 
                 but we do not know what we may be."
                             William Shakespeare
                                                    
                                            &

                                                                               "We know that to be prepared 
                                                                                         is half the victory."
                                                                                     Miguel de Cervantes

* * * * * *

By the way, talking about books...

Did you know a phenomenon called 

"BOOKCROSSING"

BookCrossing is the "practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do the same thing". The term is derived from bookcrossing.com, a free online book club which started in order to encourage the practice of "crossing or exchanging of books", aiming to "make the whole world a library".

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

check out http://www.bookcrossing.com/  

 Here you are a short video about BookCrossing produced by EFE - TV.( In Spanish)

SPANISH VERSION.-

El "BookCrossing" es un movimiento cuyo objetivo es convertir el mundo en una biblioteca global. Está orientado a fomentar la lectura y promueve que se dejen (liberen) los libros en lugares públicos, formando poco a poco  un club anónimo de lectores que comparten gratuitamente su afición a la lectura con la idea de que con el tiemppo se sumen más personas a la cadena lectora.

Más información en:
http://www.bookcrossing-spain.com/

* * * * *

Just to finish, let's celebrate this World Book Day 2011

with a pair of Quotations and a couple of pieces of advice:

2 Quotations:

1.- A Quotation for Teachers:

"We should not teach great books;

We should teach a love of reading".

B.F.Skinner 

2.- A Quotation for Students:

"I find television very educating.

Every time somebody turns on the set, 

I go into the other room and read a book".

Groucho Marx

&


2 Pieces of Advice:

1.-  Relax and Enjoy Reading:

2.- Take Care of Books:

                              ... Enjoy reading !!

Remember the opening words,

by W. Faulkner:

"Read, read, read"

EARTH DAY

Earth Day is on April 22nd every year. 

Earth Day is a day to remember to take care of our planet, Earth.

We can take care of our planet and keep Earth clean by following the rule of “reduce, reuse, recycle”. Reduce means use less. We can reduce our use of resources like water or gasoline. Reuse means use again, rather than throw things away. We can reuse many things, such as jars, plastic bags, and boxes. Recycle means to make something new from something old. We can keep Earth clean by recycling materials such as aluminum, paper, and plastic. If we take these materials to a recycling center, they can be used again in a different way.

On Earth Day, we remind ourselves and everyone on Earth that we must do these things. We must do these things every day, not just on Earth Day. We must all do our part, and we can make a difference. On April 22nd, remind everyone you know that Earth Day is every day!

    Reading Comprehension from www.abcteach.com      

(The educator's online resource)       

http://www.abcteach.com/free//rc_earthday_elem.pdf

**********************

By the way, Talking about the Planet Earth...

Do you know the "Earth Song", by Michael Jackson

Before watching the video-clip of that song, complete the following Activity:

Fill in the blanks with the given words in JUMBLED LETTERS:

What have we done to the ….. (1) Look what we've done What about all the ….. (2) That you pledge your only ….. (3) What about flowering ….. (4) Is there a ….. (5) What about all the ….. (6) That you said was yours and ..... (7) Did you ever stop to notice All the  ….. (8) dead from ….. (9) Did you ever stop to notice The crying ….. (10) the weeping shores.

1.-  DROWL  > ….. 2.- CEAPE  > ….. 3.- NOS   > ….. 4.- LIFEDS  > ….. 5.- MITE  > ….. 6.- SAMRED  > ….. 7.- NIME  > ….. 8.- CHENDRIL > ….    9. RAW  > ….. 10.-RATHE   >  …..

 Now, Watch the video-clip, 

Listen to the song and 

Pay attention to the 2nd stanza ofthe "Earth Song"

(from 1:56 to 2:35)

SELF-CORRECTION.-
You can check your answers at:

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/michaeljackson/earthsong.html

SPANISH VERSION.-

If you wish to know what the song exactly says in Spanish, have a look at the following video composition with Spanish subtitles:

Remember:

EVERYDAY  IS

EARTH

DAY

King of the Comedy

                                                                         Charlie Chaplin

                                                    Today is Saturday, 16th April.

On 16th April 1889, Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London, England. His parents were both entertainers in the music hall tradition. His father was a vocalist and an actor, and his mother was a singer and an actress. Perhaps he learned his profession of comedian at home... Who Knows?

To commemorate that date, let's watch a short video to remember him.

This video clip is funny because all Chaplin's movements are done on the rhythm of Brahms' music.  (Brahms- Hungarian Dance number 5).
                                                                                                      I hope you enjoy it!!

TASK.- Put a TITLE to the following video:

(The invented TITLE has to be different to the original one: "THE BARBER").

                                                                                                                    R.I.P. Charlie

                                                                                                                    (Rest In Peace)

"BIEBERMANIA" IN SPAIN

Justin Bieber sings 

in Madrid and Barcelona.

READING.-

Read the following text (adapted from Wikipedia):

Justin Drew Bieber (born March 1, 1994 in Ontario -Canada) is a Canadian pop singer and songwriter.

During his childhood, Bieber was interested in hockey, football and chess. He often kept his musical aspirations to himself. As he grew up, Bieber taught himself to play the piano, drums, guitar and trumpet. In early 2007, when he was twelve, Bieber sang for a local singing competition in Stratford and was second. His mother posted a video of the performance on YouTube for their family and friends to see. Later, Bieber's popularity on the site grew.

Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who -while searching for videos- clicked on one of Bieber's videos on YouTube by accident. He got Impressed and later became his manager.

“The Observer” newspaper in the UK published a report indicating that Justin Bieber is more influential in the social networking sphere than Barack Obama or The Dalai Lama. On the other hand, according to “The New York Times”, part of Bieber's appeal stems from his YouTube channel.

The singer has been nominated and awarded numerous prizes over the past few years, winning “Artist of the Year” at the 2010 American Music Awards, and being nominated for “Best New Artist” and “Best Pop Vocal Album” at the 53rd Grammy Awards, among others. Bieber is considered a teen idol, and has been subject to acclaim from fans.

Recently, Justin Bieber confessed in Twitter that “He loves Spain”. This week he has offered two concerts in Spain. In Madrid more than 15.000 fans went to his concert. In Barcelona more than 18.000 fans enjoyed with his music. “Biebermania” is already in Spain.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 

www.justinbiebermusic.com

TASK: Answer the following questions:

1.- How old is Justin Bieber?

2.- What is the name of his manager?

3.- When was he discovered?

4.- How was he discovered?

5.- How many people went to his concerts in Spain?

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

Do you know his music?

If not, here you are one of his songs:

"SOMEBODY TO LOVE"

Listen to the previous song, and choose between
the two words in bold italic in each line:

(...) 

-1:06- 

Everyday I bring the sun / moon around

I sweep away the clouds / wind.

Smile for me / my.

I would take

every second / minute

every single time / prime

spend it like my last / first dime

step to the beat of my heart / part.

I don't need a whole lot

But coming from you I admit / permit

I'd rather give you the world / earth

Or we can share mine / yours.

I know I won't be the first / last one 

Given you all this attention / protection.

Baby listen!

(...) 

-1:34-

SELF -CORRECTION:

* You can check your answers at: 

www.lyrics.com/somebody-to-love-lyrics-justin-bieber

Toss the feathers

Watch the following video, and translate the LYRICS of this Irish song, by The Corrs,        into Spanish with the help of the dictionary.

... ¡Interrumpimos este entrada por un momento para comunicar una última hora!

BREAKING NEWS !!

¡¡NOTICIAS DE ÚLTIMA HORA!!

Hoy viernes, el diario británico 'The Independent' acaba de publicar que Portugal ha decidido vender al futbolista Cristiano Ronaldo a España para que juegue en la selección de este país. (Para más detalles puedes consultar la versión digital de hoy del citado periódico inglés).

Just Kidding !! 

Today is April Fool's Day !!

... Sorry!! ...

You can't translate the song "Toss the feathers", because there is NO LYRICS !!

&

Cristiano Ronaldo always will play with the football team of his country; Portugal !!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

SPANISH VERSIÓN:

SEGÚN LA PRENSA INGLESA

El 'April Fool's Day' vende a Cristiano Ronaldo a España

El 1 de abril es equivalente en la Europa del Norte al 'Día de los Inocentes' en España y este viernes el diario británico 'The Independent' publicó la inocentada de que Portugal ha decidido vender al futbolista Cristiano Ronaldo a España para que juegue en la selección de este país.

http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=740317&idseccio_PK=805

OPPOSITES

An antonym is a word having a meaning opposite of another word.                                   Example: Hot and Cold are antonyms because they are opposites.

*Exercise: Opposite Adjectives

Match the adjectives on the left with their opposite on the right

NEW      EXPENSIVE      INTELLIGENT      SHORT      UNHEALTHY

………………………………………….. ………………………………………….. ………………………………………….. ………………………………………….. …………………………………………..

HEALTHY      LONG      OLD      CLUMSY      CHEAP

*Now watch the following video clip

Then, Read the lyrics of the song and Identify pairs of antonyms at:     
http://www.lyrics.com/hot-n-cold-lyrics-katy-perry.html

**********************************************************
You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah, you PMS like a ...
I would know

And you always think
Always speak cryptically
I should know
That you're no good for me

'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up

You, you don't really wanna stay, no
You, but you don't really wanna go, oh
                                                       (...)
*******************************************
It is worthwatching this different version of the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY3CehyfUko